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Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse’s Recent Victim

Liam Lawson is the latest victim of Red Bull’s notorious second-driver curse. Since 2019, four drivers have occupied the seat alongside Max Verstappen, all struggling to match the Dutchman’s pace.

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3 months ago

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Liam Lawson in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 20, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, no teammate has been able to match Max Verstappen’s race pace. Is it a lack of talent? A curse? Or is Verstappen simply performing at a level no one else can reach? The latest driver to struggle in Red Bull’s high-pressure second seat is Kiwi rookie Liam Lawson. Despite his talent, Lawson has failed to meet the expectations of a Red Bull driver, reigniting the debate over why so many promising talents falter in that role. Let’s dive into the so-called ‘Red Bull second seat curse’ and the challenges that continue to hinder Verstappen’s teammates.

A Car Built for Max?

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
Max celebrates after winning the 2024 World Drivers Championship at the Las Vegas GP 2024. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)

Red Bull is Verstappen’s team—there’s no question about it. His feedback directly influences the car’s development, shaping it around his aggressive driving style. Verstappen thrives in a car with a pointy front end and high-speed cornering capability, but his teammates have often struggled to adapt. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and even Sergio Perez all found themselves unable to match the Dutchman’s consistency, leading to speculation that the RB-series cars are simply too tailored to Verstappen’s needs.

Pierre Gasly (2019)

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly are seen at the Red Bull Racing Show Run 2019 in Zandvoort, The Netherlands on May 19, 2019 – Credits – Marcel van Hoorn / Red Bull Content Pool

Gasly was promoted from Toro Rosso in 2019 to replace Ricciardo, but he struggled massively while Verstappen delivered podiums. After finishing a distant seventh in the championship—193 points behind Verstappen—Gasly was demoted mid-season back to Toro Rosso.

Alex Albon (2019-2020)

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon of Thailand ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 12, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)

Albon replaced Gasly and initially showed promise, finishing eighth in 2019. However, his sophomore season was underwhelming. While he managed two podiums, he ended the 2020 season in seventh, a massive 109 points behind Verstappen. Red Bull opted to replace him with an experienced driver outside their academy.

Sergio Perez (2021-24)

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
SUZUKA, JAPAN – APRIL 07: Race winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Sergio Perez celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan on April 07, 2024, in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Image/ Red Bull Content Pool)

Perez’s arrival in 2021 brought hope. Unlike his predecessors, he was an F1 veteran and not a Red Bull academy driver. Initially, he provided solid support, most notably in Verstappen’s 2021 title fight. Over three seasons, he improved his championship standings from fourth to second. But cracks began to show in 2023—his qualifying performances faltered, and his inability to back up Verstappen strategically became evident. Despite the dominant RB19, Perez finished 285 points behind Verstappen in 2024, leading Red Bull to replace him with Liam Lawson for the 2025 season.

Liam Lawson (2025)

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Max Verstappen in the Paddock prior to the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)

Lawson entered the season with high expectations but struggled from the outset. In Australia, he qualified P18 and failed to finish the race. In China, his struggles worsened, qualifying P20 for both the sprint and main race, finishing both outside the points. Meanwhile, Verstappen secured a podium in the sprint race and 18 points across the weekend, highlighting the vast performance gap between the two.

The narrative was familiar: a talented driver excelling outside of Red Bull suddenly underperforming in the second seat. Gasly has now flourished at Alpine, Albon is a key figure at Williams, and Perez had been a consistent force at Racing Point. The question remained—was it the car, the environment, or both?

A Bad Look for Red Bull

Is it over for Liam Lawson? Red Bull Second Driver Curse's Recent Victim
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024, in Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images/ Red Bull Content Pool)

Red Bull’s ruthless approach to driver management only intensifies the pressure. The team has a history of abrupt mid-season changes, and Helmut Marko’s public criticism does little to instil confidence. Unlike Perez, who had the backing of significant sponsors, Lawson lacked any external security, making him more vulnerable to immediate replacement.

The timing of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix only worsened the situation for Lawson. With Honda pushing for greater representation at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda—who had shown strong performances at VCARB—emerged as a prime candidate to take over. Marko himself praised Tsunoda, stating:

“Yuki is a different Yuki from the years before. He is in the form of his life. Obviously he changed his management. He has a different approach. He’s more mature. It took a while, but now it looks like it’s working.”

On March 27, 2025, Red Bull confirmed Lawson’s demotion to VCARB, with Tsunoda taking his place at Suzuka. This made Lawson the shortest-serving Red Bull driver in history, lasting just two races before being replaced.

While the move benefited Honda and Tsunoda, it did little to help Red Bull’s reputation. Even Verstappen himself expressed frustration over the constant driver changes. This instability raises concerns about Red Bull’s long-term strategy—if no driver can survive alongside Verstappen, what does that mean for the team’s ability to develop future stars?

For Lawson, his focus now shifts to proving himself at VCARB. While this setback could be damaging, his talent remains undeniable. If he can deliver strong performances for the rest of the season, he may yet have a future in F1.

As Red Bull’s second seat continues to claim talented drivers, one thing is clear—it’s one of the toughest jobs in motorsport. Whether due to an unforgiving car, immense pressure, or internal politics, the role remains a poisoned chalice for anyone not named Max Verstappen.

For now, the curse claims another victim in Liam Lawson. But as the silly season heats up in F1’s 75th year, the question remains: who’s next?


Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

After a short break Formula 1 is back in action, this time heading to the famed Red Bull Ring for the Austrian GP.

Published

1 day ago

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June 27, 2025

By

F1 during their visit to Red bull Ring in Austria in 2024
Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

As Formula 1 roars into the Styrian hills, the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix promises another action-packed weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Known for its short, high-speed layout and dramatic elevation changes, this classic Spielberg circuit has delivered thrilling battles in recent years, and with championship stakes tightening, this year’s edition is set to be no different. From intense midfield rivalries to the fight at the front, all eyes are on how teams will tackle the high altitude challenge and whether any surprise contenders can shake up the grid ahead of Sunday’s race.

About The Track

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

(Credit – f1.com)

The Red Bull Ring is a high-altitude, low-downforce circuit that places a premium on power unit output, braking performance, and traction. With only 10 corners and three long straights, it’s one of the most throttle-sensitive tracks on the calendar. Key overtaking zones come at Turns 1, 3, and 4, each preceded by a DRS zone and requiring strong stability under heavy braking. Elevation changes, particularly into Turns 1 and 3 (uphill) and Turn 4 (downhill), challenge both brake balance and weight transfer. The flowy middle sector tests aerodynamic efficiency, while the high-speed Turns 9 and 10 demand precise turn-in and rear-end grip. ERS deployment, tire temperatures, and traffic management are crucial on this short, intense lap.

Pirelli’s Specifications


Pirelli has selected the C3, C4 and C5 compounds for this race, opposed to the C4, C5, and C6 used at Canada.

Stories This Weekend

F1 Movie Release

The long-awaited F1 Movie starring Brad Pitt was produced by Lewis Hamilton. The movie was finally released on the 27th of June, with mostly positive reviews about the movie, it looks to be worth a watch.



McLaren Look To Find Ground

After both the McLaren’s collided last round in Montreal, Lando Norris enters Austria with a disadvantage, 20 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri. Lando will look to hit the ground running here, as his teammate will want to cement his WDC lead.



Max Verstappen Runs With Simon Rennie

This weekend, Max Verstappen’s adaptability will be put to the test. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be absent for this race due to personal circumstances. Simon Rennie is given the position for this weekend, an opportunity to race engineer the 4- time World Champion.

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Antonelli Passes His Exams

Rookie Kimi Antonelli cleared his exams in the 2 weeks off. This means the rookie can finally shift his full focus to the gruelling F1 season.



F1 Driver Dinner

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali took the F1 Grid out for dinner ahead of the Austrian GP.



Weekend Schedule



Weather Forecast

Friday: 26°C, Wind 9 km/h, 55% chance of rain
Saturday: 29°C, Wind 9 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Sunday: 31°C, Wind 7 km/h, 1% chance of rain.

Temperatures are notably higher than usual for this weekend.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal

Published

7 days ago

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June 22, 2025

By

George Russell celebrates after winning the Canadian Grand Prix
Credits: Lat Images

George Russell had a perfect weekend in Canada, scoring the pole position on Saturday and converting it into a win on Sunday. The joy was doubled for Mercedes as Kimi Antonelli scored his first podium, coming home in P3 and helping Mercedes get a double podium in Canada. The same can not be said for championship leaders McLaren, as the day everyone in the team feared arrived, Lando Norris made contact with Oscar Piastri, resulting in a DNF for Norris.

Read The Race Preview Here: Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect

Mercedes Score Big

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have had a dream race day in Canada, after Antonelli’s rut over the triple header where he did not score a single point, the 18-year-old rookie qualified P4 and overtook WDC Leader Oscar Piastri to take his first ever F1 Podium.

His teammate also kept his cool, after taking pole on Saturday and starting alongside Max Verstappen, George Russell had a challenge set up for him on Sunday. Early pressure from the Dutchman was applied, but Russell kept his marbles together. There was another late effort by Max, but ultimately, the Brit managed to take his first win in his 2025 campaign. Mercedes scored a very respectable double podium.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli celebrate a double podium for Mercedes after the Canadian Grand Prix. Credit: Sonntag, Jiri Krenek

Title Rivals Collide

It was a sub-par qualifying for both the McLarens, with Oscar Piastri lining up P3, and Lando Norris lining up a disappointing P7. A new challenge awaited the pair on Sunday, with both Mercedes and Max being competitive enough, moving forward would not be as easy as it seemed.

Oscar was overtaken by Antonelli, dropping him to P4, and a recovering Lando Norris lined up P5, putting pressure on his teammate in the final 10 laps, on Lap 67, Lando got close to the rear wheel of his teammate and went for a gap on the inside wall of the Start-Finish straight, this move resulted in a DNF for Lando, losing him some very valuable points, and thankfully no harm was caused to his teammate, who was able to bring the car home in P4.

Verstappen Keeps His Nose Clean

Max Verstappen is just 1 penalty point away from a race ban, and in this race he almost got the final point when he was controversially brake-checked by George Russell under a late race Safety Car, a move that was protested after the race by Red Bull. But thankfully for Max, the FIA were understanding of the situation and decided not to take any action.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 15: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing on the podium with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Leclerc Debates Ferrari

Charles Leclerc had an underwhelming Qualifying, facing a challenge on Sunday. He, along with Lando, started on the hard compound tires. Notably, mid-race, when Leclerc was asked if he wanted to extend for a One-Stopper or come in for a Two-Stopper, Leclerc opted for the 1-Stop Strategy. A call that was later disregarded by his team, who brought him into the pits anyway for a tire change. It was a puzzling call from Ferrari, trying to secure an already guaranteed P6 position.

Lewis Hamilton, on the other side of the garage, ran a disadvantageous race. After running over a hedgehog early on in the race, damage was done to the floor, which lost him 30 points of downforce, reportedly worth 0.5s a lap; he did the best he could to score decent points.

Other Notable Performances

Fernando Alonso scored points for the second time this season, showing that the upgrades on his Aston Martin are effective. This is his second race in a row where he has scored points, finishing a notable P7 after an impressive Qualifying.

Nico Hulkenberg also utilises the upgrades on his car to propel himself to the top 10, and Sauber off the bottom of the WCC. Alpine are now last in the Constructors Championship, disappointing considering the start they had to the season.

The one-stop strategy rewarded both Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz, who finished P9 and P10, scoring a few points for the team, and solidifying their position in the Midfield.

Race Results



Standings

Next Race In Austria

Formula 1 has a 2-week break until their next outing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and the pressure is building on Lando Norris to bring home the results. Mercedes might be becoming a real contender now after their performances in Canada. A clean race by Verstappen, but he is still nearing a race ban due to the penalty points.

These are some of the considerations for the next outing on the 29th of June.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

Formula 1
Credits: Red Bull Content Pool

The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix that took place on June 1 2025, wrapped up the second triple header of the 75th edition of Formula 1. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya held the last Spanish Grand Prix, as the event is set to relocate to Madrid from 2026.

As two of the three triple headers of this season end, with the McLaren duo separated by 10 points and Max Verstappen breathing down their necks, let’s review how each of the 3-week long racing action has affected the championship battle.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Max, Lando and Oscar [Left to Right] at the Japanese GP 2025

Japan-Bahrain-Saudi Arabia

The opening triple header of the season delivered some great racing action. Max Verstappen proved to the world that he is never out of the championship fight, with his dominant pole-to-victory performance, despite McLaren having the car advantage. The Flying Dutchman marked his 4th consecutive win at Suzuka while the Papaya duo completed the podium. Hadjar gained his first points in Formula 1 in P8.

Oscar Piastri stood at the top step of the podium at Bahrain for his 50th Formula 1 race, delivering McLaren’s first ever win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The young Australian started at pole and led every lap, showcasing his talent, while his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris, finished P3 despite his 5-second penalty for a false start. Multiple technical failures and a pit signal fault resulted in Max finishing P6, costing him several championship points. The Dutch wasn’t the only one suffering from technical issues, as George Russell’s Mercedes faced multiple troubles, despite which he finished P2 fending off Norris.

Another weekend, another win for Piastri. This one is even more special as it led to him becoming the first Australian to lead the championship since Mark Webber, his manager, in 2010. Even though Verstappen received a 5-second penalty during the race, he finished P2. Ferrari seemed to finally get back into their rhythm as Charles Leclerc garnered the Italian team’s first podium of the year with a solid P3. Williams’ double points finish marked their surge among the midfield, pushing them up to 5th in the championship.

The triple header ended with Oscar Piastri leading the championship, 7 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who himself was just 5 points ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen. With the top 5 separated by only 30 points, the fight for the championship was on.

Imola-Monaco-Spain

The second and the most recent triple header had all three title contenders win each race. Max Verstappen overtook pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the first lap to secure his 4th win here, while Lando and Oscar completed the podium. Franco Colapinto, who replaced rookie Jack Doohan from this race onwards, started and finished at P16, delivering a lukewarm debut performance.

At Monaco, Lando Norris secured his first win at the Principality, fending off homeboy Charles Leclerc in P2. Oscar stayed in P3, as most of the grid finished exactly where they qualified, apart from Fernando Alonso, claiming to be “the unluckiest driver”, who retired from P6 due to an engine failure.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Lando after his win at the Monaco GP (Credits: Formula 1)

The latest race, the Spanish Grand Prix, delivered equal parts of racing and drama. All was well till lap 60 when the safety car came out. RedBull pitted Max for a fourth time and sent him out with brand new hard tires, which, due to not warming up properly for the restart, led him to lose a position to Leclerc. Another incident with Russell resulted in Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase requesting him to let the Briton through. Initially refusing, on lap 64, Max appeared to let Russell go past him, but swerved into him on turn 5, causing a collision.

This unnecessary action and RedBull pit wall’s questionable decisions resulted in Verstappen being handed a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, which critically impacted his championship battle. Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, overtook 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari on the penultimate lap, securing a P5 finish. Fernando Alonso also ended his pointless run, garnering 2 points at his home grand prix. The McLaren duo clinched a 1-2 finish, avoiding all the drama behind them.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The second triple header ends with Ferrari shooting up two places to reach P2 in the Constructors’ Championship Standings, although McLaren leads with a comfortable 197 points.

The Drivers’ Championship is very close, with Norris only 10 points behind the leader Piastri. Max, however, due to his 10-second penalty, lags by 49 points, staying at P3.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The next and final triple header consists of the last three races of this season: Las Vegas-Qatar-Abu Dhabi. As the championship stands, it’s fair to speculate that the battle could go on till the final triple header. As we lie in wait till the next race weekend in Canada, let’s enjoy the on and off-track drama unfolding in front of our eyes.

Will Oscar Piastri be the first Australian World Champion since Alan Jones in 1980, or will teammate Lando Norris be successful in retaking the lead of the championship? Never count Max Verstappen out, as he also has the chance to defend his title. Any mid-season upgrades could bring George Russell or Charles Leclerc to the fight as well. The prestigious 75th anniversary of Formula 1 is definitely providing some great battles, which unfortunately can only be won by one.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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